Barnet Council has appointed Mace to provide project management services for the Brent Cross West station development in north London, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022. Mace will manage activities including the relocation of existing rail operations offices and welfare facilities, realignment of the existing tracks, installation of sidings and construction of the five-platform station. The main contractor is VolkerFitzpatrick.
HS2 construction contractor Eiffage Kier Ferrovial BAM JV is to use a vehicle management booking and integrated inventory management system developed by Trimble and Totalmobile to monitor and manage the status and location of its subcontractors’ lorries and inventory in real-time. The cloud software will provide EKFB with oversight of the progress of thousands of lorries each day via a single dashboard, including detailed information on loads, collections and completed deliveries, with near real-time updates to prevent potential delays and support contractor compliance.
Clayton Equipment says it has increased in workforce by 40%, following a period of ‘unprecedented growth’ and ‘a record number of new contracts and forward orders for innovative hybrid locomotives’.
LNER is easing ticket restrictions from August 21, allowing Super Off-Peak tickets to be used throughout the entire day on Fridays. This applies to all routes to and from London King’s Cross and Stevenage, except for passengers between Stevenage and London King’s Cross and vice versa. ‘Relaxing our restrictions on Fridays allows us to spread demand across the entire day, helping our customers to maintain social distancing, save some money and have more choice about when they travel’, said Commercial Director Suzanne Donnelly. ‘Combined with our reservation-only services and the enhanced cleaning of our trains and stations, this will allow us to further provide both a safe and enjoyable experience for our customers.’
On August 17 the Welsh Government lifted restrictions which had limited the use of public transport in Wales to ‘essential’ travel for key workers and those with no alternative mode of transport. ‘With the virus still in circulation it’s essential that people act responsibility when using public transport’, said Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Economy &Transport. ‘This will involve planning journeys to avoid busy periods if possible, and washing or sanitising hands at the start and end of each trip. Face coverings are mandatory on public transport and could lead to passengers being refused travel if they are not being worn.’
Dyer & Butler is undertaking platform extension and associated works at West Midland Trains’ Albrighton, Bilbrook, Hartlebury and Oakengates stations to facilitate the introduction of CAF-built Class 196 DMUs in 2021. The scope includes surveys, platform gauging, removal of existing ramps, enabling work, new installation, resurfacing, line marking, drainage, realignment of copers, installation of platform furniture and fencing, utilities containment, lighting and PA systems. The platforms will be extended using Network Rail approved MegaTech EPS modular expanded polystyrene platform system blocks, with completion scheduled for February 2021.
Flexible conduit manufacturer Flexicon has appointed Neil Carter as UK Sales Director. He joins from Unistrut UK, also part of Atkore International, where he held the position of National Electrical Wholesale Manager
Tim Durham is to join Eversholt as Business Development Director next month. He has previously worked on train financing at Angel Trains, Lloyds Rail and Macquarie.
Heathrow Express has announced that its coronavirus-inspired move to digital-only sales will become permanent. Passengers are able to buy tickets online, via the app, in terminals and stations using card or contactless payments or by tappping in with contactless or Oyster cars. Peak and off-peak ticket restrictions will be lifted from September 6, meaning customers with single tickets, including those bought before that date, can travel at any time of day.
Network Rail has awarded framework contracts for electrical testing and commissioning services to UK Power Networks Services (Commercial) Ltd and WJ Project Services Ltd.
CrossCountry has obtained Visit Britain’s ‘We’re Good to Go’ accreditation for tourism and hospitality businesses that provide a Covid-safe environment for customers. ‘I hope that it will encourage customers to get out and about this summer where possible and travel in confidence‘, said Commercial Director Ben Simkin.
Mott MacDonald has appointed Mike Brown, former Commissioner for Transport for London, as an independent member of its shareholders’ committee.
Rosehill Rail has developed lifting hooks to assist with the rapid installation of its rubber anti-trespass panels.
The Riding Sunbeams project to use solar energy for railway systems has been awarded £2·5m from the government’s Getting Building Fund.
SLC Rail has appointed Ashley Gierth as Head of Programme Controls and Mark Finney as HSEQ Manager. Gierth was previously UK Rail Director at Geobear Infrastructure, while Mark Finney joins from West Midlands Trains.
